viii, 238 pages : 24 cm

"A clear and comprehensive introduction to the sociology of religion, this book combines a discussion of the ideas of the main theorists with a wide range of comparative material illustrating the diversity of religion. It demonstrates the significance of the theoretical issues in the context of specific religious beliefs and practices. This unique approach shows how theories relate to and illuminate specific areas of religion in both primitive societies and in world religions such as Buddhism and Christianity." "Malcolm Hamilton takes a broad comparative view which draws on the insights of history and anthropology as well as sociology. He surveys the range of classic and contemporary theory, discussing the work of Marx, Durkheim, Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown, Freud, Weber, and brings the story up to date by setting out the most influential recent theoretical perspectives. Each chapter on a theoretical topic is followed by a chapter on particular beliefs and practices, thus providing a sense of the multiplicity of religious beliefs and experiences and enabling readers to place their own assumptions in a wider perspective." "The Sociology of Religion will be essential reading for students of the sociology of religion, comparative religion and religious studies, and will also be of great interest to sociologists and anthropologists generally."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 224-234) and index

1. Introduction -- 2. Religion and reason -- 3. Magic -- 4. Religion and emotion -- 5. Buddhism -- 6. Religion and ideology: Karl Marx -- 7. The coming of the millennium -- 8. Religion and solidarity: Emile Durkheim -- 9. The birth of the gods -- 10. Religion and solidarity: the functionalists -- 11. Taboos and rituals -- 12. Religion and rationality: Max Weber -- 13. The Protestant ethic debate -- 14. Religion and meaning -- 15. Secularisation -- 16. Religion as compensation: Stark and Bainbridge -- 17. Sects, cults and movements -- 18. Conclusion

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